The last bureaucratic step has been completed and all the signs point to Francesco Camarda being called up by Stefano Pioli for the game against Fiorentina on Saturday evening.
To be included in the Rossoneri squad, Camarda needed an exemption and that document arrived this evening, which means that he will now be eligible to play at the weekend despite being just 15 years of age.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport, Calciomercato.com, Gianluca Di Marzio and others are reporting, the FIGC rules that 15-year-old players can also participate in competitive activities organised by the Leagues and the Women’s Football Division, provided they are authorised by the Regional Committee.
In this case, that authorisation was requested and obtained by Milan from the Lombardy Regional Committee, which in today’s press release announced: “Having seen the documentation produced by the interested companies, pursuant to art. 34, paragraph 3, of the NOIF, an exemption was granted to the following registered ‘young’ footballers: ‘Camarda Francesco’.”
Camarda thus becomes the first alternative to Luka Jovic, who will start against his former team due to a lack of centre-forwards. Olivier Giroud is disqualified and Noah Okafor injured his hamstring on international duty.
If he took the field, he would become the youngest debutant in the history of Serie A, beating Wisdom Amey’s record set with Bologna in 2021. The centre-back took the field at 15 years, 9 months and one day; Camarda will be 15 years, 8 months and 15 days old on Saturday.
I worry about pressure and expectation.
Look at Pellegri, considered something of a prodigy who, 6 years later is stuck in the system of not having the seniority to get a decent opportunity. Indications are Camarda is a different level of talent but Italian soccer has done this (slowly ground youth development to a halt) to itself.
Nevertheless, it is pretty exciting. These sorts of milestones (i.e. youngest ever Serie A player) befit the player we hope Camarda turns out to be.
Can’t really blame Pellegri, he doesn’t play not because of opportunity but because he was plagued by injuries since playing for Monaco at 18/19
Before that he was considered one of the best talent in Italy, iirc
Lets hope Pioli’s system will not ruin Camarda’s muscle.
I hope he don’t get injured because this boy is 15 years old and he still have a long career.
And for people who keeps comparing him with legends like Maradona, Pele, Zidane, etc and insist on debuting him in the 1st team, i hope this satisfy you all.
For now he has inzaghi physic with sheva skill 😀
He’s going to be a lot bigger than Inzaghi. If he fills out, he’ll be as big as Vieri or Imbrahimovic.
Wow. I mean of course he should not start 🙂 but playing even few minutes is such a boost and change. Welcome that very much and awaiting Simic on the field already!!!
He should be getting as many minutes as he needs to get the first goal.
Playing 5 minutes a game & having statistics such as 10 games, 0 goals will only have a negative impact on the morale.
Goals per game is misleading, goals per 90 minutes is more accurate.
It is time to break the record ❤️🖤